After two years, center Ricky Doyle is transferring, the U-M basketball program announced today.

"He went back and forth, a lot of sleepless nights, a lot of guilt and worry. When push comes to shove, for both he and coach (John) Beilein, it really isn't what either of them are looking for," said Matt Herting, his high school coach at Ft. Myers (Fla.) Bishop Verot. "It wasn't whether he can play in the Big Ten -- it's obvious he can. ... What he brings to the table isn't really what coach Beilein wants to use. For both of them, it isn't the (ideal) for either of them."

Doyle committed early, in the spring of his junior year of high school, intrigued by Michigan's success and the program's upward momentum. The Wolverines were preparing for a deep NCAA tournament run, and he would be the successor to Jordan Morgan and Jon Horford.

But he never fit the mold of a center in Beilein's offense.

"I don't know that Ricky ever felt it was a good system for him," Herting said. "You see he's a natural back-to-the-basket (center). He needs to get the ball on the block, he needs to get to the stripe, and the coach Beilein system is more spread out. More pick-and-pop, which is not really his game. More pick-and-roll but roll with almost like a back cut for the dive, not really a roll and post-up.

"Everybody thought that Ricky might be better suited to a system that's more suited to him."

Not that the decision was easy for Doyle and his family.

"It was a really good experience, it really was," Doyle's father Richard said Tuesday night. "We take it very seriously but at the end of the day, you've got to do what's right for your kid to where he's got to be in the right program and he's got to be happy and everything's got to jell right.... The only negative part I can even imagine (from the two years) was the cold."

Doyle's Michigan tenure was inconsistent. He arrived as a true freshman for the 2014-15 season and had every opportunity to play at center. Oft-injured Max Bielfeldt was returning but coming off of hip surgery and, while Mark Donnal had been on the team the year before, he redshirted. Doyle seized the opening, averaging 6.2 points and 3.2 rebounds in 18.2 minutes per game.

He began getting big minutes in his fourth game and had eight double-figure scoring outputs. Despite being overmatched physically by the larger Big Ten players, he was willing to battle.

Yet as the conference season progressed, his numbers shrank as he appeared to wear down. He was expected to seize the starting role again this season but, after being given the whole nonconference season as a starter, he couldn't break through.

When Donnal got his opportunity in the Big Ten opener at Illinois and responded with 26 points and nine rebounds off the bench, it became his job permanently. Doyle became a bit player the rest of the season, pitching in during foul trouble. As freshman Moritz Wagner emerged at the end of the season, it was a sign of Doyle's limited future at U-M. Two freshman big men are arriving in the fall.

Doyle was affected much of the year by sleep apnea, which only started being treated and allowing him to feel healthier late in the year. His energy was noticeably better after that, which is encouraging for him at another school. His father immediately could see the difference in those final games, as the hard work Doyle put in during the season finally translated to the court.

"It really wore him out, physically, mentally, socially, basketball-wise, and especially with the uncertainty not knowing what was the matter with you, not knowing that long and trying to fight through that and do your best, if you don't feel healthy or right," Herting said. "But he kept his head up. He loves Michigan, likes the players and coaches. But after going through all that and realizing his skill set isn't best for that style of play, it's good for him to go somewhere where he can get the ball on the block and go to work."

Doyle has dual citizenship in the United States and France, where his father played for more than a decade professionally. For him to have a similar chance at pro ball, his talents need to be seen. That probably wasn't going to happen at Michigan.

"Ricky is a tremendous young man with very high character and plenty of potential to develop into being a fine college player," Beilein said in a released statement. "We have enjoyed coaching him over the past two years and wish him nothing but the best."

Doyle didn't get into the AAU scene in high school and despite many offers from other schools, never wavered from the Wolverines. He doesn't have a great idea of what's out there now.

But they're eager to find out. The transfer idea arose when Beilein approached Doyle and said if he wanted to transfer, it was understandable, but they were willing to have him return for next season if that was his desire.

After considering that he could have an opportunity elsewhere, Doyle and his family reached the decision to leave.

Richard Doyle noted that Beilein was "always very upfront about what they want to do and how they want to do it."

While Beilein's philosophy is that players not transfer to a school U-M is slated to play, he told Doyle's family he would assist with the transfer if it was a Florida school closer to Doyle's home in Cape Coral, Fla. He would understand that move, regardless of what school it was.

"My time at Michigan has very special to me and my family," Doyle said in the statement. "Coach Beilein took a chance on me and I will forever be grateful for that. It was a difficult decision for me to make, however, I just feel this is the best decision moving forward. I will forever carry a special place in my heart for the Maize and Blue. Go Blue!"

Doyle missed just one game over the last two seasons, playing 67 of a possible 68, with 30 starts. For his career, he averaged 4.9 points, 2.5 rebounds and shot 62.4% from the field.

Due to NCAA transfer rules, Doyle will have to sit out the 2016-17 season.